The latest storm and low pressure information on the morning of December 4 from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said that the low pressure in eastern Eastern Visayas, Philippines has strengthened into tropical depression Wilma.
"At 8:00 a.m. this morning (December 4), the low pressure located east of Eastern Visayas developed into tropical depression Wilma. The tropical storm bulletin will be issued from 11am this morning" - PAGASA informed.
Tropical Depression Wilma is 650 km east of Eastern Visayas, with winds of 45 km/h, gusts of 55 km/h and is moving southwest at a speed of 20 km/h.
Initial meteorological data shows that the most worrying factor is the high possibility of the storm making landfall directly in the Philippines. According to PAGASA's analysis, Wilma is not only about to cross the coast but is likely to make landfall in the Philippines this weekend.
Based on initial data and PAGASA's analysis, the risk of the storm making landfall in Eastern Visayas or Caraga remains high on December 5 or 6, PAGASA's based on based on based based on based on based on based on based on based on based on based on based on De la Cruz-Galicia weather forecast.
This is an important update on potential storm Wilma for people in the two areas of Caraga and Eastern Visayas, which have repeatedly recorded strong storms. Caraga, which includes provinces such as Surigao del Norte and Agusan del Sur, which are rich in timber mining and exploitation, are prone to rapid flooding and landslides during prolonged heavy rains.
Eastern Visayas, which was devastated by super typhoons, is home to the city of Tacloban and many coastal islands. Here, storm surge is always a serious threat to people's lives and property.
While a direct threat is possible in the storm area, the circulation of Hurricane Wilma is also expected to spread over much of the Visayas region and part of Mindanao this weekend.
This means that areas not in the center of the storm can still record heavy rain, strong winds, and the risk of flash floods. This is a dual threat, forcing Philippine authorities to divide response forces across many provinces, further complicating the national disaster prevention plan.
PAGASA's typhoon forecast clearly states that typhoon Wilma may rapidly intensify. The first official warning - Tropical Storm Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1 was issued on December 4. This signal is mainly applied to Eastern Visayas or Caraga, showing strong gusts (30-60 km/h) expected to appear within the next 36 hours.
The issuance of TCWS No. 1 is the first official signal for people to complete storm response preparation work, from reinforcing roofs and windows to preparing essential emergency equipment.
